Oñate, Rio Grande baseball appear to be even match in Round 1

By Teddy Feinberg/tfeinberg@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
05/09/2013 09:16:45 PM MDT

LAS CRUCES - In this weekend's high school baseball playoff opening round, the Oñate Knights host the Rio Grande Ravens meet in an intriguing matchup, and one that could very well be a close call down the stretch.

A best-of-three series between two teams that appear to be evenly matched, and two clubs that met before this season. It was in early-March when Oñate, seeded No. 8 in the state tournament, and Rio Grande, seeded No. 9, split a doubleheader (with the Knights falling in Game 1 7-5 before winning Game 2 5-1).

"I would agree," Oñate head coach David Reyes said. "From the beginning, I was hoping to get a home game and we got it. .... It's good on paper, and I feel like it's fair on our end. It's a good matchup."

Oñate's been a tough team to figure during the 2013 season.

A senior-laden squad, the Knights got off to a good start, and many had them as proverbial favorites to win District 3-5A. In turn, it was Las Cruces High that went 11-1 in league play, while the Knights finished 8-4, and second in the district standings.

Still, Reyes pointed out his team will still begin the 2013 State Baseball Championships on their home field, and the club believes if there was ever a time for things to come together, now would be appropriate.

"If there's a time to peak, it's obviously right now," said senior catcher Andrew Serna. "There's no better time to show what we have."

During a Thursday interview, Reyes stressed he still believed in his group.

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He added that this year he's had to dig deeper to try and stoke his team's fire, describing the Knights as a calm, even-keeled group. He's hopeful the state playoffs can bring out a sense of urgency in his team, pointing to a 3-0 win over Las Cruces High to close out the regular season as a positive heading into the playoffs.

"I want to continue that momentum for what we're doing now," Reyes said.

The Knights have some pitching arms - Julian Heredia, Anthony Garcia, Alonzo Parra and Danny Brennan make up the staff's nucleus.

Where the team hopes to get better is hitting with runners on base - and, in turn, scoring position - which has been a sticking point during the season.

"Our pitching has been phenomenal," Brennan said. "As long as we get our sticks going, I think we can take it."

That could very well be the key factor going into a make-or-break series, where it could take three games to decide a winner.

"We're expecting two wins. But we have to work hard for them and put it on the field," Serna said. "We know they can beat us too. We have to be on our game. We have to be ready for them."

Teddy Feinberg can be reached at (575) 541-5455. Follow him on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg

If you go

Who: No. 9 Rio Grande at No. 8 Oñate

What: Class 5A State Baseball Championships, Round 1

Where: Field of Dreams

When: Best-of-three series begins with single game Friday at 4 p.m.; Saturday doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.